Bucks County Folk Music Shop

Went in today to look at mandolins and violins! Had a lovely chat with the owner Jackie. Super nice, super helpful, amazing selection for bluegrass players! Only thing I didn't see was a double bass, but it's a smaller shop, so that's understandable.

I drove an hour and a half to stop into Bucks County Folk Instruments. It was so worth it. Jackie was so kind and I ended up buying a beautiful Eastman dreadnought guitar with which I am very pleased. Aside from the purchase, this is the place to go to find a good instrument and meet wonderful people. I will be going back and bringing friends along! Thank you!

David Hungerford

I was in the market for a mandolin, and obviously Guitar Center doesn't carry them, so I looked around for a Folk Music store. Turns out this is really the only one around, but that's fine because it's a great little shop.

I walked in, and there's instruments everywhere. They have mandolins, guitars, banjos, and even stuff like dulcimers and some kind of harps, but I didn't really look into those.

The shopkeeper was incredibly helpful. She seemed to know what she was talking about and gave me a good amount of advice on instrument maintenance when I asked her. If I ever decide to get a higher end folk instrument of any kind, I will most likely head back here

My 1st trip to the BCFMS - what a wonderful alternative to the average brick & mortar and typical big box store. Housed in an 1800's building, it has a sense of warmth as you are surrounded by guitars, banjos, fiddles, penny whistles - even bodrans. Anything and everything anyone interested in folk music would need - and then some. Had my guitar technical Q's answered easily by Kim, plus great advice for my guitar string purchase. Definitely recommend this resource, and if you are lucky, may even get to see the fox that sometimes hangs out in the back yard!

Having previously bought two used Mandolins I never "fully"understood the advantage of having a properly set up mandolin. With the purchase of my first new one from Bucks County Folk Music shop I saw the light. That is exactly what I got, a perfectly playable mandolin and a very reasonable price to go with it! I travel over an hour to get there, but was lured in by the other wonderful reviews. They were on the mark!

Always wanted to visit.
Finally had a day off of work and they were open. Met a lovely lady named Jackie. She was so kind and informative. It was a wonderful experience. They have a great selection of stringed instruments.
Highly recommend this place for all musicians who want to play quality acoustic instruments. All you songwriters out there, this is the place to come and find that special instrument that resonates with your voice and your gift.
Ricky Vacca

Bought a beautiful Eastman mandolin here the other day. The staff was helpful, knowledgeable, and patient! They let me try out lots of mandolins and spend time playing them, both when I visited them a month ago and the other day. Never felt pressured. Fair prices and outstanding customer service. I plan on coming here again if ever I need a set up, repair, or purchase. Highly recommend!!

As a novice guitarist, I've been to this quaint, old-timey shop several times for basic information and guidance. Kim has been helpful and generous in sharing her knowledge. When I asked about a guitar maintenance lesson, she arranged it and neither she nor the musician, who spent about 90 minutes with me, would take a fee. Like many others who have posted reviews, I find the "local shop" ambiance refreshing. In business for over 50 years? They are doing something right!

We made our first family purchase here today. We moved here a few years ago and had a recent need for a ukulele for my daughters. I have several guitars but hadn't the need for a new piece in years. We try to buy from local businesses first and we were not disappointed here. Feels like a small town store with big city experience. Zero sales pressure. Just conversation and help figuring out your needs. We'll be for sure.

I received this Five Star Planetary tuner in the mail today and it works perfectly. (I was even able to use the old button instead of the new one). I can’t even tell that’s new! Thanks Karl and Kim!

I have been shopping here for the last 10 years. The shop is small, well stocked and I always walk away knowing more about an instrument, style of music or local musician each and every time I go.

I understand the frustrations of owning a small business,success is hard won and a resource like Bucks County Folk Music is a rare gem to have in our community.

The Big Box Stores may have the glitz, guitars from floor to ceiling and and cool hipsters. None of the instruments will be setup correctly, most are damaged or just sticky.

The folks at Bucks County Folk Music make sure you are fitted to the instrument, setup to your liking and stand behind everything they sell. I have never had a bad experience and hope that they will be around for a long time.

Great music shop for folk and bluegrass instruments! Really no other like it in the Northeast. The owners - Carl and Jackie are fantastic! I recently purchased a new Gold Tone banjo there and couldn't be happier with it, and the help they provided.

Went in to get my Yamaha FS800 adjusted and ended up spending 3 hours there playing various guitars. Kim was incredibly helpful and answered every question that popped into my mind, and was more than willing to let me play any guitar that caught my eye, even a $4300 Martin! I walked out with a Larrivee', a brand I'd never heard of before but instantly fell in love with.

For 25 years I've bought instruments, accessories, parts--and even spruce for braces & guitar tops--from Bucks County Folk Music Shop. In addition, owner Karl has generously shared tips, methods and tricks for instrument repair & restoration.

The ambiance of the store is wonderful. Each visit I try out instruments, and don't leave with more purchases only because I already ran out of cash :)

What a difference between a shop like Bucks County Folk Music and big joints like Guitar Center. Bucks is like visiting a cozy home...while the big joints are like visiting a hell where you go deaf from 95 out-of-tune 'guitarists' forever simultaneously playing inane Metal Riffs thru 800-watt amps turned to 12, and 'staff' who don't seem to know much about music or instruments beyond 'Woah Dude, that rocks."

As a kid growing up in New Jersey, I'd see ads for Bucks in Sing Out magazine, and daydream about going there. My dreams came true after moving nearby 25 years ago, and YAY! Check it out!!

Went there to get a new banjo after my first one had been stolen. Not knowing much about banjos past the basics, they were extremely helpful, knowledgable, and friendly. Not intimidating or pretentious, even though they clearly knew what they were talking about. Very friendly people. I was helped by what I assume were the two owners (older fellow and a lady). I'll definitely be back.

I am mystified by the negative reviews. I have shopped here for over 25 years and have purchased several instruments and many accessories and supplies. I have always been treated with the utmost courtesy and respect, and their skills and knowledge are beyond question. I recognize that their workload and the demand for their services means that it may take a while for your project to reach the top of their schedule, but good things take time.

Fast, professional, friendly and knowledgeable! A fantastic local music shop with great prices and a great selection. They also have some rare and interesting guitars stocked now and then. Very happy with my recent purchase!

Karl and Jackie are not cut from a different cloth, as some like to say-- they are simply cut from the cloth. Many of the folks in my generation (I'm 30) want fast results, big discounts, and streamlined efficiency. They're cut from some weird synthetic stuff that melts if it stays out in the sun too long.

You'll get none of that at BCFM.

What you will get is exposure to the wisdom and subtle humor that can only come with decades of experience. Stick to your online retailers if you want the best prices. Come in to BCFM if you want to stand in the river of acoustic time and pick up a few rocks to keep in your pocket.

I bought my Deering Sierra banjo from Karl in 2011, as a hotheaded novice player, who only wanted to name drop and pick quick. I talked a little faster then and tied my shoes a little tighter. Now I make my living playing the five string banjo in Guatemala, and needed some work (fret dressing and a new head) done real fast while on a rapid-fire four day visit to the area. Karl understood my dilemma, and he and Jackie and Kim stayed open a little later to accommodate me. As usual, they did top-notch work and were happy to share some fantastic stories they've picked up along the way. I left feeling a little more connected to the tapestry that connects all of the acoustic pickers of the world, and grateful for the slow-cooked friendship I've been able to nurture with Karl over the past seven years.

You won't find this on the internet or in the big box stores.

This place is amazing I only stopped in to buy guitar strings I ended up leaving with 2 instruments Very friendly very intimate nice people

Great customer service. Hired a guitar while on holiday. Couldn't have been more helpful.